| "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy." - 2 Chron. 36:16 "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." - Dan. 8:23 |
The ruins of ancient times have a story to tell. Albeit, mankind is bound to misinterpret the moral of the story if the infallible record of Scripture isn't consulted. The disobedience of the Jews warranted Babylon of old (2 Chron. 36:16) and every cyclical appearance of the Beast thenceforth (Medo-Persia, Greece, & Rome; Dan. 7). In every case the Day of the LORD tarried until the iniquity was full (Dan. 8:23, Gen. 15:16). Babylon is God's last resort for the backslidden Church. Even so, today, "there is no new thing under the sun" (Eccl. 1:9). God's judgment by this means hasn't expired. Many voices of Church History for the past 2,000 years wouldn't agree, but that doesn't matter. According to the apostles of the New Testament, they don't have any credibility to join the conversation. Anyone who lived beyond the days of the apostles and/or outside of their direct authority (as recorded in Scripture) simply cannot be trusted.
For, as of nearly 2,000 years ago, the apostles were acknowledging the spiritual rise of Babylon as a devastating force upon the saintliness of the Church. With a growing sense of anticipation and urgency, they spoke of the darkness of night steadily increasing upon the Church (1 Thess. 5:1-8; Rom. 13:11-14). Nighttime wasn’t merely about them; it was encroaching upon them (Eph. 5:6-17)! As a people marching towards their fate, the apostles knew the midnight hour would come (Matt. 25:1-13). The Day of Darkness couldn't be stopped. Even as Isaiah foretold in the ancient time ("Watchman, what of the night?" - Isa. 21:1-12), or as John later elaborated (Rev. 8:12, 9:1-11), they believed it was inevitable. This is exactly why Paul said that the Day of the LORD “shall not come, except there come a falling away first” (2 Thess. 2:3).
For, as of nearly 2,000 years ago, the apostles were acknowledging the spiritual rise of Babylon as a devastating force upon the saintliness of the Church. With a growing sense of anticipation and urgency, they spoke of the darkness of night steadily increasing upon the Church (1 Thess. 5:1-8; Rom. 13:11-14). Nighttime wasn’t merely about them; it was encroaching upon them (Eph. 5:6-17)! As a people marching towards their fate, the apostles knew the midnight hour would come (Matt. 25:1-13). The Day of Darkness couldn't be stopped. Even as Isaiah foretold in the ancient time ("Watchman, what of the night?" - Isa. 21:1-12), or as John later elaborated (Rev. 8:12, 9:1-11), they believed it was inevitable. This is exactly why Paul said that the Day of the LORD “shall not come, except there come a falling away first” (2 Thess. 2:3).
Evidently, the apostolic testimony of nighttime darkness wasn’t a miscellaneous use of metaphorical rhetoric. These weren’t relativistic acknowledgments that are disconnected from the rest of Scripture. The apostles were alarmed at the dogmatic fulfillments of Biblical Prophecy as they observed the increasing blackout of spiritual light in their days (Matt. 5:13-16). Plainly spoken, John said, “whereby we know that it is the Last Time” (1 Jn. 2:18). In one statement, simply put, the apostolic acknowledgement was twofold: (1) Backsliding saints (2) deserve Babylon. For, whether of old, or anew, only backsliders are deserving of Babylon. Not just physically, but spiritually. In other words, only those who are overcome by spiritual Babylon are deserving of physical Babylon. Thus, in beholding the saintliness of Christians turning into worldliness for lack of abiding in Christ (Jn. 15:1-7, 1 Jn. 2:15-19), John acknowledged that this could be none other than the work of antichrist (1 Jn. 4:1-6).
“…this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come;
and even now already is it in the world” - 1 Jn. 4:3
and even now already is it in the world” - 1 Jn. 4:3
John is speaking of the “spirit” of antichrist, or, the rise of a spiritual antichrist. He isn’t acknowledging the coming of the physical antichrist. The former precedes the latter. According to the apostles (speaking under divine inspiration), the antichrist will rise spiritually before he comes physically. Yet, who is the antichrist, but the figurehead of Babylon (Rev. 13)? Therefore, let the reader understand, this is one and the same as acknowledging the rise of spiritual Babylon.
Spirit of Antichrist -> Physical Antichrist
Spiritual Babylon -> Physical Babylon
Spiritual Babylon -> Physical Babylon
Just as the antichrist will rise spiritually and then physically, even so does Babylon rise spiritually and then physically. This is what Paul called “the mystery of iniquity” (2 Thess. 2:7); and, how hardly will the backsliders of any generation come to a sober acknowledgement of it! According to the apostles, the casualties are among the Church. Expressly, John is affirming that this is the cause of backsliding among the saints. As an indicator of the Last Time (1 Jn. 2:18), lo, this is bringing about a falling away from Christ (2 Thess. 2:3)! Or, in terms of John’s Gospel, this is bringing about a severance of the branches from the Vine as they are being broken off for their lack of abiding in Christ (Jn. 15:1-17; Rom. 11:21-22). Literally, this is a discontinuance of saints in the Son of God (1 Jn. 2:24). Therefore, in departing from the Church (John argues), it is visibly evident that these individuals are no longer “of” the Vine (1 Jn. 2:19, 24; Jn. 15:1-7).
Therefore, in Paul saying, “the mystery of iniquity doth already work” (2 Thess. 2:7), he was acknowledging the manifestation of a prophetically foretold scenario that would directly precede the physical arrival of Babylon & its antichrist. Thus, in acknowledging the mystery of iniquity already at work, he was acknowledging the rise of apostasy; and, in acknowledging the rise of apostasy, he was acknowledging the rise of spiritual Babylon. As of the 1st Century, some 2,000 years ago, the foretold spiritual battle was at hand. Spiritual Babylon was the real and present danger among them. They knew that “many” would be “offended” in the spiritual rise of Babylon, or that “many” would be deceived, and “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:10-12). Therefore, Paul was compelled to testify how spiritual Babylon was already on the rise (“the mystery of iniquity doth already work” - 2 Thess. 2:7), even as John acknowledged the spirit of antichrist (1 Jn. 4:3).
The same acknowledgements were made when Paul, beholding the casualties ("the Last Days" - 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 4:3), informed Timothy by letter, saying, “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (2 Tim. 1:15). Even so, fearfully, all the virgins of the Gentile Church Age will be asleep in the darkness of Babylon directly preceding the 3 ½ Year Great Tribulation (Matt. 25:1-13). For, “He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way” (2 Thess. 2:7), until the future scenario is exactly as foretold. Therefore, like Ezekiel beheld, it must needs be that the Glory of God will depart from the Churches of this current age of redemption (2 Thess. 2:7). Soberly consider it, my reader: the invisible God will depart from the visible Church in the days preceding the End of the World.
I know many zealous Christians who have spent a lifetime studying the past 2,000 years of Church History. However, in doing so, their outlook of "the Church" for the past two millennia is radically different than that of the apostles. This is what happens when we let the Church tells us about the Bible instead of letting the Bible tell us about the Church. This is dangerous. To optimistically study "the Church" in every century following the 1st Century without consulting the prophetic outlook of the apostles concerning the latter years of their own century, is to gaze upon the ongoing and progressive work of darkness while hoping to bask in the dim light of a sickly flame. This is dangerous. Therefore, it is neither wise nor safe to endeavor a study of "Church History" from our vantage point without bearing in mind the apostolic witness of Church Futurity - to behold what the apostles saw when they prophetically looked into what's ahead from the standpoint of the 1st Century (Prov. 22:3, 27:12).
Therefore, in Paul saying, “the mystery of iniquity doth already work” (2 Thess. 2:7), he was acknowledging the manifestation of a prophetically foretold scenario that would directly precede the physical arrival of Babylon & its antichrist. Thus, in acknowledging the mystery of iniquity already at work, he was acknowledging the rise of apostasy; and, in acknowledging the rise of apostasy, he was acknowledging the rise of spiritual Babylon. As of the 1st Century, some 2,000 years ago, the foretold spiritual battle was at hand. Spiritual Babylon was the real and present danger among them. They knew that “many” would be “offended” in the spiritual rise of Babylon, or that “many” would be deceived, and “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:10-12). Therefore, Paul was compelled to testify how spiritual Babylon was already on the rise (“the mystery of iniquity doth already work” - 2 Thess. 2:7), even as John acknowledged the spirit of antichrist (1 Jn. 4:3).
The same acknowledgements were made when Paul, beholding the casualties ("the Last Days" - 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 4:3), informed Timothy by letter, saying, “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (2 Tim. 1:15). Even so, fearfully, all the virgins of the Gentile Church Age will be asleep in the darkness of Babylon directly preceding the 3 ½ Year Great Tribulation (Matt. 25:1-13). For, “He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way” (2 Thess. 2:7), until the future scenario is exactly as foretold. Therefore, like Ezekiel beheld, it must needs be that the Glory of God will depart from the Churches of this current age of redemption (2 Thess. 2:7). Soberly consider it, my reader: the invisible God will depart from the visible Church in the days preceding the End of the World.
I know many zealous Christians who have spent a lifetime studying the past 2,000 years of Church History. However, in doing so, their outlook of "the Church" for the past two millennia is radically different than that of the apostles. This is what happens when we let the Church tells us about the Bible instead of letting the Bible tell us about the Church. This is dangerous. To optimistically study "the Church" in every century following the 1st Century without consulting the prophetic outlook of the apostles concerning the latter years of their own century, is to gaze upon the ongoing and progressive work of darkness while hoping to bask in the dim light of a sickly flame. This is dangerous. Therefore, it is neither wise nor safe to endeavor a study of "Church History" from our vantage point without bearing in mind the apostolic witness of Church Futurity - to behold what the apostles saw when they prophetically looked into what's ahead from the standpoint of the 1st Century (Prov. 22:3, 27:12).
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